Haiku : Farmer Story: Serra Alta, Brazil

At Poets & Prose, every coffee we roast begins with a story — of people, land, and tradition. Our current feature from Brazil, Serra Alta, comes from the renowned Barbosa family in the Cerrado Mineiro region, a name synonymous with quality and innovation in Brazilian coffee.

A Family Legacy

The Barbosa family’s journey in coffee goes back to the early 1900s, when Elias Barbosa began farming in Minas Gerais. The tradition was passed from father to son through generations, each one carrying the family’s love for coffee forward. Today, Danilo Barbosa, along with his wife Imaculada and their sons, Vitor and Sergio, continues the legacy with the same devotion — but with a modern vision for specialty coffee.

For the Barbosas, farming is more than a livelihood; it is a family bond. Their extended family works across multiple farms in Cerrado Mineiro, turning the daily rhythm of coffee production into an extension of their home life.

Tradition Meets Innovation

While rooted in heritage, the Barbosa family has also embraced innovation. In 2018, they shifted their focus toward specialty coffee, working closely with local experts on quality control and fermentation. The results were immediate: their coffees began winning national recognition, culminating in a Cup of Excellence win in 2021, one of the highest honors in the coffee world.

Their success continued, with multiple awards in subsequent years and another Cup of Excellence triumph in 2024. These accolades reflect not just skill, but a commitment to elevating Brazilian coffee on the global stage.

The Farm: Sucuri, Serra Alta

The Serra Alta coffee you’re tasting comes from the Sucuri farm, located at 1,045 meters above sea level in Cerrado Mineiro. This region is the first in Brazil to receive a Designation of Origin for coffee, a recognition of its unique terroir and consistent quality.

The lot itself is a Red Catuai, natural process, scoring 82–83 points. It’s a coffee that captures the essence of Cerrado Mineiro:

• Chocolate-rich flavor
• Low acidity
• Heavy body

The Barbosas balance production with preservation — of their 3,322 hectares of land, more than 1,000 hectares are protected natural reserves, reflecting their deep commitment to sustainability.

Why Serra Alta Matters

Serra Alta represents what we love about coffee: a blend of tradition, family, innovation, and sustainability. It’s not just a cup of chocolate-rich Brazilian comfort; it’s a story that spans generations, rooted in a land where coffee is both heritage and future.

When you brew Serra Alta, you’re tasting the dedication of a family that has poured over a century of care into every bean.